Nadal makes fast start in Rome in first match in 200 days
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Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Italian Open in Rome, September 16, 2020. /VCG

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Italian Open in Rome, September 16, 2020. /VCG

Nine-times champion Rafa Nadal showed little signs of rust when he played his first match in 200 days as he beat fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1 6-1 in the Italian Open in Rome on Wednesday. 

Nadal has not played a tournament since winning his 85th singles title in Acapulco, having skipped the Western & Southern Open and the US Open in New York due to COVID-19 concerns. 

The match was also Nadal's first on clay in 465 days after his French Open triumph last year. 

"It's good to be back on the Tour but obviously the feeling is not the best playing without crowds," Nadal said. "At least there's one positive thing, the sport is back." 

"It's a perfect start for me, I played solid, some good shots with the forehand and backhand." 

Italian wildcard Jannik Sinner pulled off a stunning upset in the second round when he beat third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1 6-7(9) 6-2 to take revenge on the Greek who beat him in straight sets at the same stage last year. 

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand against Salvatore Caruso of Italy during the Italian Open in Rome, September 16, 2020. /VCG

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand against Salvatore Caruso of Italy during the Italian Open in Rome, September 16, 2020. /VCG

Earlier, top seed Novak Djokovic returned to winning ways after his U.S. Open default, beating Italian wildcard Salvatore Caruso 6-3 6-2. 

On the women's court, top seed Simona Halep overcame a couple of hiccups to beat wildcard Jasmine Paolini 6-3 6-4 and move into the third round, second seed Karolina Pliskova started her title defense with a 6-3 6-3 win over Barbora Strycova. 

Meanwhile, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka beat American Venus Williams 7-6(7) 6-2 to set up a second-round clash with third seed Sofia Kenin. 

(With input from Reuters)